Since 1988, Alternatives For Children, has been at the forefront in providing educational experiences to a broad spectrum of children from across Long Island. Our Child Day Care program, Nursery School, Universal Pre-Kindergarten, and Special Education Preschool all provide a natural learning environment where children are encouraged to become independent, self-confident, and curious learners.

Alternatives For Children is committed to adhering to the Developmentally Appropriate Practices of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Creating a caring community of learners Teaching to enhance development and learningPlanning curriculum to achieve important goals Assessing children’s development and learningEstablishing reciprocal relationships with families

We offer environmentally structured classes using the Creative Curriculum, which is aligned with the NYS P-12 Common Core Learning Standards, and ensures continuity with the Common Core State Standards in ELA and Math. The Creative Curriculum is an early childhood curriculum designed to foster children’s social/emotional, physical, cognitive and language development, as well as enhance learning in literacy, math, social studies, the arts and technology. Team members focus intensively on the child’s individual needs as well as incorporating a balance of child centered versus teacher directed instruction presented in a range of environments, large and small groups, dyads and one-to-one teaching, providing children with the tools they need to be ready to learn and be successful as they transition to the kindergarten environment.

At Alternatives For Children Child Day Care Centers, our goal is to create a natural educational learning environment. A sense of community and belonging are important aspects of our program, as is the fostering of self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-discipline.

Children are encouraged to learn through play. The intellectual, social, physical, emotional, and creative development of the children is facilitated through hands- on activities. Caregivers are responsive to children and form relationships that nurture emotional growth and self-esteem. A supportive environment is planned by the caregivers to provide sufficient structure to foster feelings of security and confidence, while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to changes in interest or activity level. An emphasis is placed on problem solving, independence, creativity, cooperation, and respect.

At Alternatives For Children, our Nursery School program promotes a child’s development of their imagination and language, and is designed to build independence, self-esteem, cooperation, and mutual respect. Our dually certified special education/early childhood teachers provide opportunities for the children to learn through structured and unstructured group play, and develop the necessary socialization skills they will need as they grow and go on to kindergarten. As they learn about seasonal changes, cultures/traditions, making healthy eating choices, and safety rules (both at home and in school), it is always with an eye on offering a comprehensive, educationally sound curriculum, emphasizing early pre-reading skills, pre-writing skills, early computational skills, and phonological awareness skills.

The underlying principle of Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) is the importance of play in the growth and development of young children. As children explore their surroundings, using different tools and materials, they learn. Play stimulates a child’s creativity; it becomes a means of expression for them, both verbal and non-verbal. In play, children both draw on their past experiences and are encouraged to experience and learn new things. Alternatives For Children extends our years of early childhood experience and expertise to school districts through our Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program. UPK is a New York State early childhood initiative focused on the educational development of four-year olds in preparation for their subsequent kindergarten experience.

At Alternatives For Children, we are proud to partner with parents and school districts to nurture the cognitive, linguistic, physical, emotional and social development of the children in our UPK Programs.

The first three years of life are the most crucial period of growth and development. Some children may appear to achieve developmental milestones later than anticipated. If that is the case, there is help available. Early Intervention programs and services have been established across New York State to address the needs of infants and toddlers, from birth to three years old, who are suspected of developmental delays. Trained professionals, in collaboration with parents, assess a child’s current development and recommend educational/therapeutic services to address the needs of the child. Service providers are then assigned to implement the Individualized Family Service Plan.

A child’s eligibility for Early Intervention is determined only by NYS approved evaluators under contract with the County. Alternatives For Children is approved by the NYS Department of Health as an EI Evaluation Site and Provider of EI Services. Services for eligible children are provided at no out-of-pocket cost to families. Family Health Insurance may be accessed for reimbursement of services. If Early Intervention services are delivered in a child care setting or community location that requires a fee, the family is responsible for paying any associated costs, providing access to the child care or community location. EI programs are regulated and funded by the NYS Department of Health and Suffolk and Nassau Counties’ Division of Services for Children with Special Needs.

You may have concerns about your preschooler’s speech, language, physical, social or behavioral development. Your pediatrician or nursery school teacher may have spoken with you about suspected delays in certain areas of your child’s development. If so, your local public school district’s Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) is your first step in beginning to address these concerns, ensuring that your child is on the right path to a quality comprehensive educational experience.

Alternatives For Children provides Preschool Evaluations at no out-of-pocket cost to families as authorized by NYSED and Suffolk and Nassau Counties’ Office of Children with Special Needs.

If your child is eligible for preschool special education services through the New York State Education Department, your school district CPSE will provide you with information and options for a comprehensive and appropriate preschool special education program or appropriate services.

Alternatives For Children believes in a dynamic comprehensive team approach in the development and implementation of appropriate individualized educational and therapeutic treatment programs for each child. Alternatives For Children is a NYS Special Education Preschool that offers preschool classes that include both self-contained settings and integrated classes. Our integrated classrooms offer children with disabilities an opportunity to learn and grow alongside their typically developing peers.

Preschool Special Education Evaluations, Preschool Special Education and Related Services for eligible children are provided at no out-of-pocket cost to families. Funding for these programs is through NYSED, NYDOH, and Suffolk and Nassau DOH Office of Children with Special Needs. Alternatives for Children is approved and licensed by the NYS DOH, NYSED, NY Office of Children & Family Services, the Nassau & Suffolk County DOH Divisions of Services for Children with Special Needs.

For over twenty-five years, families have come to Alternatives For Children to receive the most appropriate care and services for their child. Alternatives For Children has developed a full complement of center-based and in-home special education and related therapeutic services for children and their families, assuring that they have the tools and experiences necessary to build the foundation that will support them for the rest of their lives.

Psychological Counseling & Social Work Services • Service Coordination

Related Special Education Services and Preschool Special Education for eligible children are provided at no out-of-pocket cost to families. Funding for these programs is through NYSED, NYDOH, and Suffolk and Nassau DOH Office of Children with Special Needs. Alternatives for Children is approved and licensed by the NYS DOH, NYSED, NY Office of Children & Family Services, the Nassau & Suffolk County DOH Divisions of Services for Children with Special Needs.